Hype can be either good or bad for a new band. On one hand, it can help generate positive exposure and name recognition for the group. On the other, unfair as it might be, it also tends to set the bar higher. More is expected of the much-hyped band; it has something to live up to.

“Love Is Here,” the debut offering from Starsailor (which lifted its name from the 1970 Tim Buckley album), though a decent listen, totally misses the bar that has been set for it by an overzealous U.K. music press. Already the fresh-faced foursome have landed three songs in Britain’s Top 20, wrapped up a sold-out headlining U.K. tour and have been tagged the “next big thing” to ride the wave of success overseas to the United States.

“Love Is Here” starts out promisingly enough with tracks such as “Tie Up My Hands” and the piano-laced “Lullaby.” As the disc progresses, however, singer James Walsh’s tinny vocals and mawkish lyrics grow increasingly obnoxious (think Coldplay-esque falsetto mixed with Our Lady Peace whininess), which is unfortunate considering the capable instrumentation overshadowed by his wailing. The result is a mediocre and largely forgettable album that falls short of the Radiohead, Travis and Verve comparisons, as well as the hype that has preceded it across the Atlantic.

– Bethany Kohoutek

Good soundtracks mirror the films they accompany, enhancing and reinforcing the motion picture’s intent.

The soundtrack for the MTV Production “Orange County” matches the film almost perfectly. But, like the movie, the soundtrack shows a lot of promise but fails to deliver.

With a lineup of bands that ranges from Foo Fighters and Social Distortion to Creeper Lagoon and Brian Wilson, “Orange County” should be a good soundtrack.

But mediocre tracks filled with recycled riffs from Lit and The Offspring and the horrible addition of Crazy Town’s “Butterfly” drop the album’s worth from gold to pyrite – glitter without substance.

Pete Yorn’s “Lose You,” 12 Rods’ “Glad That It’s Over” and Cake’s “Shadow Stabbing” almost make up for Crazy Town, but not quite.

-Jon Dahlager